Modeling, simulation and optimization of gas transport networks

Abstract

This work is focused on the optimization of gas transport networks, mainly in fuel cost minimization, with steady-state models for cyclic topology. First, a model for the gas flow in a pipe is defined. Second, equations to calculate the energy supplied by a compressor and to define the operating diagrams of the compressor stations are defined. Then, we introduce a mathematical model for steady-state gas flow in a gas transportation network and we present a proof of the existence of a solution to the simplified model with non-flat topography. Additionally, we present a method to calculate the gas composition at each exit point based on the gas composition at the entry points. A two-stage procedure is proposed to solve the optimization problem, combining techniques of mathematical programming and optimal control theory. Each stage is solved with SLP algorithms, 2SLP and PSLP respectively. Finally, we present the software GANESO.